Senate Committee Probing Windows on ARM Browser Complaints

A Senate committee is looking into complaints about restrictive browser settings within the Windows on ARM version of the upcoming Windows 8 OS.

As first reported by The Hill, the Senate Judiciary Committee is examining whether Windows RT, a version of Windows 8 optimized for ARM processors, runs afoul of any antitrust regulations.

A spokeswoman for the committee confirmed that staffers were looking into the issue, but said at this point, it was just exploratory and there are no plans for a public hearing.

Like the other versions of Windows 8, Windows RT will include two environments: the classic Windows interface and the more Windows Phone-esque Metro style option. In a Wednesday blog post, Harvey Anderson, Mozilla's general counsel, alleged that "Windows on ARM prohibits any browser except for Internet Explorer from running in the privileged 'Windows Classic' environment."

That, he said, means "Windows on ARM - as currently designed - restricts user choice, reduces competition and chills innovation."

Anderson said the topic is important because while ARM chipsets are currently used primarily in phones and tablets "in the future ARM will be significant on the PC hardware platform as well."

Google said in a statement that it shares Mozilla's concerns.

"We've always welcomed innovation in the browser space across all platforms and strongly believe that having great competitors makes us all work harder," Google said. "In the end, consumers and developers benefit the most from robust competition."

A Microsoft spokeswoman said last week that the company had "nothing to share on Google or Mozilla's statement at this time."

As TechDirt pointed out last week, "the big antitrust case in the U.S. against Microsoft about a decade ago focused on Microsoft's efforts in the browser war to lock out Netscape."

Back in 2010, Microsoft was also required by European officials on its Windows OS, in order to provide users with a choice of browser beyond Internet Explorer. The decision came out of a 2009 complaint that said Microsoft violated European antitrust law by bundling IE with Windows.

But, TechDirt's Mike Masnick argued, the move likely has less to do with Microsoft battling rivals like Firefox and Chrome and looks "more like a case where Microsoft is growing jealous of Apple's control over the iPhone platform, and is effectively looking to do some of the same with its next generation mobile offering."

Masnick was doubtful that Microsoft could pull that off, however since Apple has succeeded thanks to the "larger than life infatuation" with its products.

For more, see as well as . Also check out and the slideshow below.